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SPD reserve officer fired after drunken driving charge

Sandusky police administrators say they've fired a reserve officer who was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to control.

Emil Whitis

Sandusky

Oct 15, 2011

Sandusky police administrators say they've fired a reserve officer who was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to control.

Devin Phillips, 25, crashed his pickup into a utility pole at about 4 a.m. Sept. 18 on Cleveland Road, according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper's report. Phillips told troopers and firefighters that he crashed the truck after swerving to avoid a deer.

He was later taken to Firelands Regional Medical Center to be treated for injuries. A blood sample taken by hospital staff revealed his blood-alcohol content was 0.15 percent, well over the legal limit of 0.08 percent, the report said.

To read more about the crash and Phillips' short career with Sandusky police and other area law enforcement agencies, pick up a copy of Saturday's Register.

Comments

donutshopguy

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 1:53pm

Another "great officer" who didn't think the law applied to him.

Taxpayer

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 2:41pm

His punishment for his NON-PAID position as a reserve police officer is appropriate. Everyone makes mistakes and screwsup in life. EVERYONE! Not only will he have to answer to the charges of OMVI and his accident in criminal court, he will not be hired as a paid, non-paid, armed LE officer again. All our deviant actions will have consequences. I hope that drunk was worth it. Notice the instant lying when he wrecked. Typical. People LIE to cover up a WRONG. This tells me it was doubtful "he was a great officer" representing and serving the PEOPLE of the city.

Darkhorse

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 2:47pm

This is one big screw up for this young man. A career thrown out the window. At least he could have waited to do this when the union could protect him and then you get three strikes and you are out. Fortunately for the city they were able to terminate him before the union got a hold of him.

cugs1

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 2:54pm

hey jim, how do u know he was a great officer? youd actually have to go out at night to know that. and taxpayer, its a paid position once again, so get ur facts straight before you blog........

Reason

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 3:05pm

Devin is a good kid who made a bad decision. Let's hope he learns from this and becomes a better person moving forward.

I Judge you

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 4:03pm

Do not taint the view of our Police Gods, they are above you and I and should be able to bend a few rules as they please.

Mime Bloggling

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 5:54pm

I'm just glad his "mistake" didn't cost anyone their lives.

Yadayadayada

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 6:38pm

Only full-time officers in Sandusky are allowed to drink and drive without penalty of firing. Most every other organization would take a dim view of employees doing that, but not the FOP and union.

His mistake as a "wonderful officer" was not being hired full-time.

Would MADD and the DARE officer please debate that FOP defense?.

Itsntallaboutu

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 11:21pm

People make mistakes~I see all the haters of our LE, unions and everyone else are happy to see this article. Good luck to this young man~I'm sure he will learn from his mistakes. I'm sure it isn't an easy job~maybe that has something to do with his mistake.

Good night all of you perfect little people!

donutshopguy

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:20am

Itsntallaboutu,

Great , now you are rationalizing an excuse for someone driving drunk and getting in an accident, Too much stress on the job? You are a piece of work.

Good day to those who turn a blind eye to people who break the law that are public servants.

Centauri

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:07am

Devin Phillips, 25, crashed his pickup into a utility pole at about 4 a.m.

I always believe in giving a person a second chance. The young man is only 25 and young people make mistakes, especially if they consumed alcohol.

Alcohol has a way to cause people to do some foolish things. Even one drink can lead to a second drink and onto more drinks.

You have a President who admitted to using illegal drugs and a former president who admitted to being an alcoholic

Lang said "He was a great officer"

I believe in second chances.

donutshopguy

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:19am

Centauri,

Poor timing by Mr. Phillips. Chief Lang has been hired to establish professionalism back in the SPD. Trust is a horrible value to lose with your community. It's a tough and maybe impossible task Chief Lang has taken on.

Itsntallaboutu

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:34am

I am not condoning what he did MR. DONUT~Where did I say that drinking and driving was ok for LE? I SAID people make mistakes~he is 25~what were you doing at 25? I'm sure you were perfect~NOT. You are just lucky they didn't blast your mistakes for people to blog their hatred. He made a mistake~he has to pay~and he is. YOU are the piece of work~my friend.

Some people feel the need to downgrade public servants no matter the issue.

Also, some may think that I am in LE or some how related because of my~

"OFFICER DUNN REMEMBERED FOREVER"~ You are wrong~I just happen to be one of those citizens who has RESPECT and APPRECIATION for what they do for US everyday. I will never forget (like some have) the fact that Officer Dunn laid down his life for people like YOU and I~People are so full of hatred in this world today and then wonder whats wrong with this country.

Itsntallaboutu

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:36am

Hmmmmmm~they have my trust~they have always been there if and when I have ever needed them~you might NEED them someday. Personal issue with LE Mr. Donut?

donutshopguy

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:42am

Its,

No personal issue. Just don't appreciate the double standard LE has seem to afford themselves. When we all play on the same playing field I got no problems.

It is too bad that this young officer made a mistake, but he has to pay for his mistakes. That is the problem with society today, everyone thinks that people should get another chance and another chance, and another chance. That is why there no one is responsible for their own actions anymore. I am glad Chief Lang parted ways with him because he is doing what he was brought into to do...accountability for the department.

I Judge you

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 11:06am

Voting yes on issue 2 will help reduce this from occurring again.

Julie R.

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 1:28pm

Cops are no more above the law than anybody else is. If they don't know how to follow the law then hit the road, Jack! (and that goes for your JUDGES and PROSECUTORS, too)

Itsntallaboutu

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 1:47pm

@I JUDGE YOU~ LOL~ I would be willing to bet that all the bloggers in this story are Republican~LOL.....Except me of course~ time to leave these blogs~can't argue with a Republican~THEY KNOW IT ALL : O

donutshopguy

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 2:57pm

Its,

Sorry to burst your bubble. Neither a Republican or Democrat. Don't have much need for either party. I make my own decisions. That must scare you. Someone not following lockstep with a political party.

gilamonster

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 3:02pm

Itsntallaboutu, glad you see no wrong in any police officers. Tell me if this kids job was driving a semi truck, charter bus, or pilot would you still feel the same way? Police are supposed to be pillars of the law, some just criminals with a badge. He made a mistake, we all do, sometimes the ramifications of mistakes are worse than others.

patriot5

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 3:29pm

I have several friends that are/were officers in the Cleveland area, and know a few just by association. Some of those officers are big offenders of drunk driving off duty, especially in their own district, I know first hand.
@its, you seem to love public servants so much that you want everyone to look the other way when they screw up. My problem is they violate laws that they swear to protect, that makes them a hypocrite doesn’t it? He made a poor judgment (as we all do) and now will pay for his mistake just like Joe Public. What does that have to do with democrats and republicans, are you saying democrats will not punish public servants when they break the law?

Itsntallaboutu

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 7:43pm

Who said I was a democrat DONUT?

donutshopguy

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 8:25pm

Its,

Read your own posts. You made the reference that we bloggers are all republicans. Now, read mine. I never inferred you were a democrat. I love a great debate but you have to be somewhat logical or people don't take you seriously. Hint.

Itsntallaboutu

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 7:44pm

Hmmmm~Everyone wants to say I said something I didn't~typical. lollollollollollollollol ; O

I Judge you

Sun, 10/16/2011 - 9:04pm

Lets be honest here. Does anyone care if someone on the Internet actually takes them seriously? Oh my someone wrote something I don't agree with, well I better get right on that and correct them. My Son taxpayer boy gets it, why dont you?

myname

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:12am

Any chance on getting a photo of Mel Burns' moustache on here?

czechurself

Fri, 10/21/2011 - 12:20pm

Chief Lang certainly is in a precarious situation if he doesnt take a zero tolerance attitude toward the lack of use of any officers good judgement. It is too bad however that this one incident had to bring an end the possibility of a good career for the young man in law enforcement in our city. Perhaps remedial drivers course for drunken drivers, license suspension whatever the punishment for the average citizen and then demotion from his current position. There is need for administrative assistance.....